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John Deere CEO visits dealerships as part of 175th anniversary celebration

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

People who have used John Deere equipment may note the brand loyalty inspired by the business, but Allen learned early-on how important this was to the agricultural company.

Sam Allen started his career as an industrial engineering student at Purdue University in Indiana, but his ascension to chief executive of John Deere has brought him around the country. As part of the company's 175th anniversary, he is touring dealerships around the country.

People who have used John Deere equipment may note the brand loyalty inspired by the business, but Allen learned early-on how important this was to the agricultural company.

"I found out it was true that if you come to work for John Deere and you work for two years, you’ll end up staying for the rest of your career," Allen told Farm Ranch Guide after touring several dealerships in North Dakota. Here he spent time looking at the impact of the company's machinery on American agriculture.

Allen told the news source that he and his entourage had made stops in Seattle, Washington, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Atlanta, Georgia and were heading to Mississippi to tour stores in the American South.

The Associated Press reported that the company is still headquartered in Illinois, close to where John Deere founded the business, and this is the reason for extensive traveling by the leadership.